In a game that has so much riding on it in terms of the top four battle and a potentially tight battle as a result, one spark of creativity could end up being the match-winner for Roma or AC Milan.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport write, Stephan El Shaarawy and Brahim Diaz have a few things in common. Both are known for being able to create things almost from nothing, both are unpredictable in the way they play and both have uncertain futures.
Jose Mourinho and Stefano Pioli will also rely on them to unlock a gae that risks being blocked for a long time, given the importance of the stakes.
El Shaarawy has done a bit of everything during his time at Roma, playing as a winger, wing-back, attacking midfielder, second striker, sometimes even full-back. It is perhaps the best quality that Mou sees in him, his great willingness and versatility.
If the ‘Faraone’ is versatile, Brahim Diaz is equally so. He has played both as a winger and as an attacking midfielder, with Pioli putting a lot of trust in him in the games that matter, such as against Tottenham in the Champions League and in the three recent games against Napoli.
His imagination and his his quick turns often help to ‘unlock’ even the most compact defences, just like Roma could be today given Mourinho is likely to deploy a 3-4-2-1.
Both El Shaarawy and Diaz still have their future in the balance. The former because his contract is about to expire, the Spaniard because he still has to talk to Milan, just like the Rossoneri have to sit down with Real Madrid.
The will to keep the player is there and it is strong, but €22m might not be enough and qualification for the Champions League would obviously help close the deal.
So el sha has played in 5 positions and Diaz in 2 yet they’re equally versatile. Makes sense.
Either way I’d like to see SES back here on a free next summer and Belotti. Good squad players who don’t have crazy salaries and can be useful. Would add great depth.